Salary & Cost of Living in Roswell, NM
Roswell, NM: $32,355 median salary, cost of living index 82.5, $12.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$32,355
$16/hr
Cost of Living
82.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$12.00
per hour
Unemployment
4.9%
rate
Roswell, NM Overview
Population
48,366
Median Salary
$32,355
Average Salary
$36,238
Avg Commute
16 min
Median Home Price
$145,000
Median Rent
$604/mo
Job Growth
+1.4%
Sales Tax
5.125%
Roswell is located in New Mexico with a population of 48,366. The median household salary is $32,355 per year ($16/hour), which is $27,029 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 16 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.4%.
Roswell Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Roswell, NM based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $32,355 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $20,060 | $9.65/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $32,355 | $15.56/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $45,944 | $22.10/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $57,592 | $27.70/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Roswell Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Roswell, NM, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$26,127
$2,177.23/month · $1,004.88/biweekly · Effective Rate: 19.2%
Gross Pay
$32,355
Federal Tax
-$1,844
State Tax
-$1,909
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$2,475
Net Pay
$26,127
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $2,696.25 | $32,355.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$153.67 | -$1,844.10 |
| New Mexico State Tax (5.9%) | -$159.08 | -$1,908.95 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$167.17 | -$2,006.01 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$39.10 | -$469.15 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,177.23 | $26,126.80 |
Salary Comparison: Roswell vs Other Cities
See how Roswell's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roswell, NM | $32,355 | 82.5 | $39,218 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Valdosta, GA | $32,364 | 83.2 | $38,899 |
| Covington, KY | $32,346 | 88.5 | $36,549 |
| Florence, SC | $32,345 | 85.5 | $37,830 |
| Kokomo, IN | $32,366 | 80.5 | $40,206 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Roswell
Roswell's cost of living index is 82.5 (national average = 100). Living in Roswell is 17.5% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$145,000
Median Monthly Rent
$604
Annual Rent Cost
$7,248
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $26,127 annual take-home pay in Roswell has the purchasing power of approximately $31,669 in an average-cost US area. Your $32,355 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Roswell
Roswell's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $32,355.
Salary Tips for Roswell Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Roswell has a cost of living 17.5% below the national average. A salary of $32,355 here has the purchasing power of about $39,218 in an average-cost area.
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 5.9% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Roswell's top industries include Military, Energy, Tourism. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $32,355 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Roswell salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Roswell-NM metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Roswell indexed at 82.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Roswell's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $32,355 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects New Mexico state income tax (5.9%) (no local income tax), sales tax (5.125%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Roswell: 4.9%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Military, Energy, Tourism — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.4% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for New Mexico.
- Housing context: median home price $145,000, median rent $604/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Roswell, NM:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Roswell unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Roswell QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — New Mexico — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Roswell's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent New Mexico labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
Explore Salaries Across the US
Compare salary data and cost of living for hundreds of US cities. Find out where your paycheck goes the furthest.
Related Salary Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Roswell, NM?
The median salary in Roswell, NM is $32,355 per year, or $16 per hour. The average salary is $36,238. This is $27,029 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Roswell, NM?
Roswell's cost of living index is 82.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 17.5% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $145,000 and the median monthly rent is $604.
What are the best industries in Roswell?
The top industries in Roswell, NM include Military, Energy, Tourism. The city has a job growth rate of 1.4% and an unemployment rate of 4.9%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $32,355.
How does Roswell's salary compare to other cities?
Roswell's median salary of $32,355 is 45.5% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 82.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $39,218.
What is the minimum wage in Roswell, NM?
The minimum wage in Roswell, NM is $12.00 per hour. This equals approximately $24,960 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $4.75 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.